BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH : CHOOSING THE RIGHT LINGERIE AFTER BREAST SURGERY

Every year, Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of awareness, prevention, and solidarity in the face of breast cancer. But the disease also raises many questions in the daily lives of the women going through it.

After breast surgery, one's relationship with their body evolves, and tasks as familiar as choosing or putting on a bra may require finding new points of reference. At this stage, lingerie is more than just an aesthetic detail: comfort, softness, and simplicity become essential to feeling good on a daily basis.

Because every woman, every procedure, and every journey is different, there is no single lingerie solution suited to all situations. The recommendations of your surgeon and your healthcare team must always remain the priority before choosing or changing your bra after a procedure.

WHY THE CHOICE OF BRA EVOLVES AFTER BREAST SURGERY

After a procedure, the body needs time. Sensations may change, certain movements may be less comfortable, and the breasts may require different support than what was previously sought.

Lumpectomy, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, wearing an external breast prosthesis... Procedures and their consequences vary, just as each woman's needs do.

Some will look primarily for a particularly soft fabric, others for lingerie capable of holding an external breast prosthesis, or perhaps a model that is easy to put on when movement is temporarily more difficult.

The choice of lingerie will therefore evolve according to the procedure and the needs encountered throughout the recovery process.

JUST AFTER THE OPERATION: PRIORITIZING SOFTNESS AND SIMPLICITY

In the initial period following breast surgery, certain details can make daily life easier: soft materials, discreet and flat seams, comfortable straps, or even the absence of underwire, if recommended.

The ease of using the bra can also be important. When arm mobility is temporarily reduced or certain movements remain uncomfortable, a front-opening style, for instance, may be easier to manage than a classic back closure.

DURING HEALING: GENTLE SUPPORT

As healing progresses, needs may gradually evolve. Certain sensitivities may fade, certain movements may become more natural again, and expectations regarding lingerie may change.

This period can last for several weeks or several months, depending on the situation. It is therefore important not to compare your journey to another woman's: every body recovers at its own pace.

During this stage, the size of the bra deserves special attention: the support sought should not cause discomfort on areas that are still sensitive.

Before changing the type of bra you wear, especially if moving back toward more classic models, always seek advice from your medical team.

RETURNING TO A CALM DAILY LIFE: WITH OR WITHOUT RECONSTRUCTION

With time comes the opportunity to gradually regain your habits and rediscover the lingerie that suits you.

Depending on the path chosen or recommended, some women may wear an external breast prosthesis, while others undergo breast reconstruction. Other paths are also possible, depending on the situation and each individual’s choices.

When an external breast prosthesis is worn, some bras are specially designed to hold it. They feature an integrated pocket in the cup, intended to hold the prosthesis securely in the bra. The model and its size must allow the prosthesis to be accommodated appropriately for daily wear.

After breast reconstruction, the return to more classic lingerie is gradual, based on medical recommendations. When the time is right, rediscovering certain shapes, materials, or simply the pleasure of choosing your own lingerie can contribute to returning to your daily habits.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Beyond the various stages of the journey, a few simple reference points can help you when choosing your post-operative lingerie.

Points to keep in mind:

·      Soft materials: prioritize materials that feel pleasant against the skin, especially when it remains sensitive.

·      Discreet seams: soft finishes and the flattest seams possible help minimize friction zones.

·      No underwire: at the beginning of the journey, an underwire-free model may be preferred according to your medical team’s recommendations.

·      Comfortable straps: choose straps that are adapted to the support required and comfortable enough not to cause daily irritation.

·      Lingerie that is easy to put on: when certain movements remain difficult, a practical opening system can make dressing easier.

·      A pocket for a prosthesis if necessary: if you wear an external breast prosthesis, prioritize a bra featuring a pocket specially designed to hold it.

·      An adapted size: the bra must offer the desired support without creating pressure or discomfort.

And above all: listen to your body. Suitable lingerie is, first and foremost, lingerie in which you feel good.

SOFTNESS: A LINE ADAPTED TO POST-OPERATIVE NEEDS

At Maison Lejaby, supporting women also means listening to them as their bodies and needs change. Choosing appropriate lingerie can help restore daily comfort, particularly after breast surgery.

Within our Softness line, Maison Lejaby offers a post-operative bra designed to meet these specific needs. Without underwire, it features integrated pockets to hold a breast prosthesis while maintaining the softness and comfort that characterize the line.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026, Maison Lejaby continues its commitment alongside the Ligue contre le cancer (French Cancer League). For every product purchased from the Softness line, €5 is donated to the Ligue contre le cancer. For the purchase of a set consisting of two products, €10 is donated.

It is a way to extend our commitment beyond lingerie and contribute, at our own scale, to the fight against breast cancer.

WHO SHOULD YOU TURN TO FOR PROPER SUPPORT?

Faced with all the questions that may arise after breast surgery, you do not have to find all the answers alone.

Your surgeon, your doctor, and more broadly your healthcare team are your primary contacts for supporting and advising you based on your procedure and progress.

The social worker at your healthcare facility can also provide information about certain support systems and procedures.

For questions regarding coverage, you can consult the official information available HERE.

Recognized associations also offer information, listening spaces, and various forms of support for those affected by the disease and their loved ones HERE.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF, AT YOUR OWN PACE

After breast surgery, every woman moves at her own pace. Needs evolve throughout the journey, and the choice of lingerie must, above all, adapt to your comfort, your sensations, and the recommendations of your healthcare team.

For Pink October, Maison Lejaby is taking concrete action by offering a post-operative bra in the Softness line and donating €5 to the Ligue contre le cancer for every Softness product purchased, or €10 for a two-piece set.

Discover the Softness post-operative bra here!

Also find our bra size guide here!

Find all our wireless lines here!

The information presented in this article is provided for general purposes and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. After breast surgery, always refer to the recommendations of your surgeon and your healthcare team.